Yan Qinli Stele

Author: (Japan) Minatani Nanaya
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-07-01
Features: The "Calligraphy Technique Lectures" selects various scripts and styles of characters from famous calligraphers throughout history, picking out authentic works deemed suitable for learning and imitation as models. Each volume focuses on one authentic work, simplifying techniques in longer works to avoid excessive learning by systematically selecting and arranging typical, well-preserved characters or parts, while omitting the rest. As renowned calligraphy models, they are enlarged to a suitable size for easy learning and understanding, with the original-sized works also published for comparison. The technique explanations are aimed at beginners. Each volume of the "Calligraphy Technique Lectures" is an introductory book for various scripts and calligraphy styles, so there is no specific learning order prescribed. This volume, as part of the "Calligraphy Technique Lectures" series, follows the general rules of the series. The calligraphic traces selected are 282 typical characters from the full text of the "Yan Qingli Stele" by Yan Zhenqing, totaling over 1,600 characters, arranged according to the intent of this volume. The composition of the calligraphy book is as follows:
(1) Learning the basic strokes: Studying the fundamental strokes of Yan Zhenqing's regular script, showcasing their styles, and explaining them with original-sized rubbings.
(2) Learning the structural principles: Based on Li Chun's Ming Dynasty work "Eighty-Four Methods of Large-Character Structure," explaining the structure of Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy.
(3) Learning by parts: Selecting two characters for each part on average, explaining them with a focus on structure and brushwork, and comparing them with seal script and printed characters to better understand the essence of Yan's calligraphy.
(4) Including original-sized rubbings: Each character is printed with a white background and black ink, arranged in six characters per half-page, opposite to the original rubbings. The editor has paid special attention to the enlargement of the reverse side, using meticulous scientific methods to preserve the original style and recreate Yan's calligraphy.
Regarding the brushwork of basic strokes, decomposition photos taken with a new photographic method using an electric motor are included to provide a more concrete understanding of the brushwork. To facilitate beginners in learning the structural principles, each character is written in a red-lined grid divided into nine equal squares.
For the full text of the "Yan Qingli Stele," please refer to the "Selected Chinese Calligraphy 42: Yan Qingli Stele" and "Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy 42: Yan Qingli Stele" published alongside this book.
This book strictly selects 282 well-preserved characters from the rubbings of the "Yan Qingli Stele," systematically classifying and explaining their fundamental brushwork and structural techniques, enabling readers to fully master the style of Yan's calligraphy. A small painting felt is also included as a bonus.
This series is an imported publication from Japan's Nishiyuan Publishing House, featuring famous calligraphy works from various dynasties in China. The Japanese, summarizing the essence of predecessors in calligraphy art, have innovated and compiled this series, which holds both academic and practical value. The printing quality of this book is excellent, and its price is only one-tenth of the equivalent in Japan.